On Monday, Seattle Mayor Ed Murray announced the hiring of Ian Warner as Counsel to the Mayor. Warner will report directly to the Mayor, advising on a broad array of legal matters affecting city policy through a legal lens.
“Ian brings the right kind of experience and a passion for public service to my administration,” said Mayor Ed Murray. “He’s an active and engaged leader in Seattle’s legal community, and will bring his public safety expertise to the table. I am excited to have him join my team in this critical role.”
Before joining Mayor Murray’s administration, Warner was an associate with Dorsey & Whitney LLP. He represented clients in federal and state proceedings across a range of industries including technology, employment and construction. Additionally, Warner worked on the monitoring team that oversees the Seattle Police Department’s implementation of the federal consent decree, including the systematic review of use of force incidents and the use of emerging technology by the department.
“It will be a privilege to serve the community every day as the Mayor’s Counsel,” said Warner. “This opportunity is exciting at this critical moment in Seattle’s history, where the nation looks to us as a model for development and reform. As a Seattle resident, former member of the monitoring team and active member of the legal community, I am excited to contribute to the Mayor’s vision for our city.”
Warner currently serves as the President of the Loren Miller Bar Association, which is a chapter of the oldest and largest organization of African American attorneys in the United States. He also serves on the Federal Judicial Merit Selection committee, which is charged with selecting candidates for federal judgeships in Seattle. While attending the University of Washington School Of Law, he served as President of the Black Law Students Association.
In addition to being Counsel to the Mayor, Warner will work collaboratively with the City Attorney’s Office (CAO) and will be given the title of Assistant City Attorney through a memorandum of understanding with CAO.
“I’ve already gotten to know Ian over the past several years through his work on the court-appointed team that monitors the Seattle Police Department as part of the DOJ settlement, and I admire his professionalism and insights,” said City Attorney Pete Holmes. “This is an excellent choice by the Mayor, and I look forward to continuing our collaborative approach to addressing the City’s legal issues.”
Warner will start on August 12and will earn a salary of $140,000 per year.
